"If I'm on, most likely I score," said Ashley Patton, who bats third and has scored a team-high 21 runs. "They're the fourth and fifth batters. They've got to be good."

Actually, Hausman, a sophomore leftfielder, and Skillman, a junior second baseman, struggled in the first six games of the season. But English never entertained the notion of pinch hitting for either player, figuring they would work out of it.

Both are confident they can move baserunners over. But during their early-season struggles, Skillman didn't handle the pressure well when English flip-flopped her with Hausman in the lineup. Batting fourth for two games, she failed to drive in a run.

Hausman said it made no difference to her as she had seven hits in two games.

While their productivity is similar, Skillman and Hausman could not approach the game more differently.

"Michelle's a very, very quiet person," English said. "Erica's the insane one."

Hausman, who batted .423 with 16 RBI and 13 runs as a freshman, is self-assured and positive she can get on base at least a couple of times per game. But she admitted she "could be a better leader if I talked more."

Talking, English said, is what makes Skillman a motivator. "She talks to the other kids and gets them up when they make a mistake. She's a wonderful asset to the team."